Channing Meyer and his mother Liz Meyer, left, and Corbin Cleveland and his mother Christina Cleveland pose for photographs after a signing day assembly at Norman North High School on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013, in Norman, Okla. Meyer will play for the Merchant Marine Academy and Cleveland will play for Oklahoma Baptist University. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman

Meyer signed with a place not many know much about.

Meyer signed with the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y.

“It's the smallest service academy,” Meyer said. “Not many people know about it, especially in Oklahoma. It will give me a great opportunity, not only in football but after I get out of school.”

Unlike the other service academies — the Military, Air Force, Naval and Coast Guard academies — graduates aren't obligated to specific postgraduate service.

USMMA graduates must work for at least five years in an approved maritime industry position. Graduates may also serve as active-duty officers in any branch of the military.

“I thought about the Naval Academy but the great thing about the Merchant Marines is that you're not locked into a specific branch,” Meyer said. “So there are plenty of options.”

Meyer first became interested in the academy through his father, a career Naval officer.

Kris Meyer is stationed at Tinker Air Force Base and works with three recent USMMA graduates.

“We did a lot of research,” Kris Meyer said. “We looked online and spoke with some of the guys on the phone and had one come down for lunch.

“Channing didn't necessarily know that he wanted to do time as a Naval officer. This way gives him options at the end.”

It wasn't as easy as making the decision to go, though.

The academy only accepts around 300 midshipmen per year. There are quotas per state, though, and Oklahoma has only two spots per year.

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Ryan Aber has worked for The Oklahoman since 2006, covering high schools, the Oklahoma City RedHawks, the Oklahoma City Barons and OU football recruiting. An Oklahoma City native, Aber graduated from Northeastern State. Before joining The...